SENATE ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR

SENATE, No. 1016

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  FEBRUARY 24, 2020

      The Senate Environment and Energy Committee favorably reports a committee substitute for Senate Bill No. 1016. 

      This committee substitute would direct the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to adopt rules and regulations classifying neonicotinoid pesticides as restricted use pesticides.  The bill would also direct the DEP, every three years, to review the latest scientific information concerning systemic insecticides, and classify as a restricted use pesticide any systemic pesticide that the DEP determines will cause harm to populations of pollinating bees, birds, other pollinating wildlife, or aquatic invertebrates.  A restricted use pesticide is a pesticide that can be purchased and used only be a certified and licensed pesticide applicator, or persons working under the direct supervision of the certified and licensed pesticide applicator. 

      Under the bill, a person would be restricted from selling, offering for sale, or using within the State any neonicotinoid pesticide, unless the pesticide is registered for use on, and will only be applied by a licensed pesticide applicator to, an agricultural plant.  The bill would authorize the Commissioner of the DEP, in consultation with the Department of Agriculture, to permit a licensed pesticide applicator to use a pesticide that is prohibited under the bill if the the commissioner finds that:  (1) a valid environmental emergency exists; (2) the pesticide would be effective in addressing the environmental emergency; and (3) no other, less harmful pesticide or pest management practice would be effective in addressing the environmental emergency. 

      The provisions of the bill would not apply to any pet care, veterinary, personal care, or indoor pest control pesticide product.